Artblog's video series about the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Creative Africa exhibits and the family program, Art Splash, concludes with this interview with artist/designer Walé Oyéjidé of the Philadelphia men's wear label, Ikire Jones, featured in the PMA exhibit. -- Artblog Editor

Creative Africa is a 5-exhibition blockbuster show of contemporary and traditional Africa Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building. This video focuses on Philadelphia-based Walé Oyéjidé, designer, writer and Creative Director of the Ikiré Jones clothing label. After studying law and working in a high-powered law firm, Oyéjidé chose instead to throw his talent and energy into design, co-founding the Philadelphia men’s fashion brand, Ikiré Jones. One of the label’s ensembles is included in the African fashion section of Creative Africa. Oyéjidé told us he does not use Vlisco fabric but other fabrics, which are manufactured outside of Philadelphia; but the clothing is made here — one of a kind originals.

Thank you to our Art Splash/Creative Africa team of Jennifer Zarro, Project Manager, Eli Laban, videographer and video editor, and Arielle Alterwaite, video and photo assistant, all of whom did a great job of capturing the people, action, words, and art of Creative Africa. Eli wrangled the many hours of film footage into 4 beautiful and compelling narratives.

Special thank you to our series sponsor, Mari Shaw, Artblog contributor and art lover, whose passion for Art Splash and for children as the future art lovers of the world, was the germination of this video project.

Photos of the Ikiré Jones ensemble featured in Creative Africa and of the installation of African fashions:

Walé Oyéjidé’a ensemble for men, Creative Africa at the PMAAfrican fashions, on display in Creative Africa at the PMAFabric by Dutch manufacturer, Vlisco, at the PMAFabric by Dutch manufacturer, Vlisco, at the PMA